Saddles, tools stolen from Phoenix barn

More than $6,000 worth of saddles, tools, battery chargers and other equipment were stolen from a Phoenix barn two weeks ago and remain missing, the Jackson County Sheriff's Department reported.

More than $6,000 worth of saddles, tools, battery chargers and other equipment were stolen from a Phoenix barn two weeks ago and remain missing, the Jackson County Sheriff's Department reported.

Deputies first responded to a call about the burglary at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 5, in the 400 block of Hartley Road. A suspect apparently broke in through a barn window, smashing it with a piece of metal wrapped in a sweatshirt. The suspect then reached in through the window and unlocked a door to enter. The homeowners didn't hear any noises during the night, investigators said.

"They locked everything up around 9 (p.m.) and came outside at 9:30 (the next morning) and noticed the broken window and the door open," sheriff's department spokeswoman Andrea Carlson said.

Tools, battery chargers, batteries, a saw, and several English and Western-style riding saddles were taken from the barn. Property owners said they closed and secured the barn doors at 9 p.m. Friday, Jan. 4.

The sweatshirt investigators believe was wrapped around the metal used in the break-in was taken for analysis. Investigators also looked for blood at the scene in case the burglar got cut on broken glass, but found none.

Sheriff's deputies are still combing area pawnshops to see if any of the items had been sold recently.

Anyone with information about the burglary should call the Jackson County Sheriff's Department tip line at 541-774-8333 or Crime Stoppers of Southern Oregon at 1-800-850-0580. Crime Stoppers will pay up to $1,000 for information that leads to an arrest and conviction. Callers can remain anonymous.